Zomba City Council director of administration Davie Mlose has warned Cyclone Jude survivors in Zomba against misusing resources they receive from well-wishers.
He said this on Sunday at Thundu in Zomba when Self Help Africa disbursed funds to 98 households affected by Cyclone Jude last month.
Mlose said relief funds from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are meant to help survivors get back to their feet and rebuild their homes.
He said failure to utilise the money will push more people into poverty.
“Invest the funds in sustainable activities that can restore your previous livelihoods,” said Mlose.
Self Help Africa humanitarian committee coordinator Blessings Mlowoka said the funds are meant to help households build their resilience against climate shocks.
“The funds should boost the survivors’ capacities and buy utensils and repair their houses. Stable families are essential to development,” he said.
A beneficiary Esinala Kumtembwe from Mpunga Township said part of her house collapsed and destroyed utensils and foodstuffs.
“I will, therefore, use the funds for its intended purpose, to repair my house and buy utensils,” she said.
Kumtembwe appealed to other well-wishers to emulate the example set by Self Help Africa and reach out to the survivors with humanitarian assistance.
With funding from the European Union’s European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (Echo) project, Self Help Africa, through a consortium of other organisations, is supporting 1 962 households in Chikwawa, Zomba, Mangochi, Nsanje and Thyolo districts.
